Russian Antonov An-26 crashes in Crimea, all 29 on board killed

A Russian military Antonov An-26 transport aircraft has crashed in Crimea, killing all 29 people on board, according to official sources.

The aircraft, operated by the Russian Ministry of Defence, went down on 31 March 2026 during a scheduled flight. Contact with the turboprop aircraft was lost before emergency services located the wreckage in a remote area.

Authorities confirmed that 23 passengers and six crew members were on board the aircraft at the time of the accident. There were no survivors.

Initial reports indicate that the aircraft crashed into a cliff, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. Search teams later reached the site and confirmed the total loss of life.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. In a preliminary statement, the Russian Defence Ministry suggested that a technical malfunction may have led to the accident. However, no definitive cause has been established, and investigators are expected to examine multiple scenarios.

The aircraft’s registration has not yet been disclosed.

The Antonov An-26 is a Soviet-era twin-engine turboprop transport aircraft widely used for military and cargo operations. Despite its long service history, the type has been involved in several accidents in recent years, often linked to its age and operational conditions.

Note: The featured image shows an Antonov An-26 aircraft and is for illustrative purposes only. It does not depict the aircraft involved in this accident.